THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9511290124
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
Christmas is a time of giving, but for most people that usually means buy, buy, buy.
And that translates into debt for many folks.
But you don't have to go into the red for the holiday season. Two Chesapeake experts on finances offer several ways to avoid the going-to-the-poorhouse seasonal blues.
Carole Thorpe, home economics agent for the Virginia Cooperative Extension service, and Sharon Neuhaus, financial counselor with the Chesapeake office of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, say to avoid using credit cards to make holiday purchases.
They suggest planning ahead, working from lists and assigning a dollar amount for every person on your gift list.
``Stay away from using those credit cards. Use the lay-away plans most stores offer,'' Neuhaus said. ``Make a list and work from a budget and stick to that budget. Or join one of those savings clubs offered by banks. They're painless, and when the season rolls around, you'll have cash to spend on your gifts and the account earns interest.''
Neuhaus suggested noting the amount you spent last Christmas and dividing that amount by 12. You'll have the amount you need to pay into your Christmas club.
``I encourage families to plan ahead and develop a spending plan,'' Thorpe added. ``I have found that many families are unsure of their financial security this year and are interested in planning ahead and avoiding debt. With the ease of credit and in getting a credit card, it's so easy to fall into debt. If you do use a credit card, make sure you keep a record of every credit card purchase you make, the same way you do with a check book.''
Even Neuhaus has noticed that this year people are more interested in their finances than sinking under a seasonal sea of red ink.
``Things are usually slow for us at this time of year,'' she said. ``People want to use their credit cards for the season before they give them over to us. But this past November has been one of my busiest months and the phone is still ringing all the time. People are becoming more conscientious.''
But even in times of tight money and budgets, families can still give meaningful and inexpensive gifts for the season. And for both, cheap does not have to mean bad. Use your imagination and creativity they suggest.
Neuhaus and Thorpe offer a list of ways you and members of your family can give meaningful gifts for Christmas:
Look for unique gift items at thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets and outlet stores. You never know what you'll find.
Shop at those ubiquitous all-items-are-a-dollar stores. You can find cheap wrapping paper and bows, gifts, toys, puzzles, soaps, books, coloring books, crayons, art items and calendars.
Again, you'll be surprised at the gifts you'll discover.
Check in your closets, you may have gifts you've never used before. Or gifts you received for a birthday that you've never taken out of the package. Clean them up and see if someone on your list will match the gift.
Look for old family photographs around the home and then make a collage for family members. The gift is unique and will delight any family member.
``I've had clients come in after Christmas with tears in their eyes, their photo collages meant so much for a family member,'' Neuhaus said. ``After all, Christmas time is a time for sharing memories, and what better way than with old and cherished photos?''
Look through your attic, closets and basements for any old items that may mean something to a family member, such as an old heirloom doll, a painting or a toy. Those sentimental items can mean a lot to a grandmother, aunt or any family member, Thorpe said.
Make your own baked goods. Everybody loves homemade cookies, cakes and other goodies created in the kitchen. But avoid using expensive ingredients, Thorpe said.
``Make simple breads and cookies using items in your kitchen,'' she said. ``People love those.''
And if you do want to make some fancy items, begin your baking shopping in November, Neuhaus said.
``Whenever I go to the grocery store, I always pick up an extra item or two like an extra pound of butter, some flour or a pack of almonds,'' she said. ``Those can be stored in the freezer, and when it comes time to make your baked gifts, you have all the ingredients you need without spending $50 to $100 in one week.''
Instead of expensive gift certificates from a store, how about one that offers your time, skill or help to a friend, neighbor or loved one?
Make up a gift certificate for baby-sitting, visiting a shut-in or doing lawn work for the parents. Anything will do. Your time is as precious a gift as you can give, Thorpe said.
Compile a book of favorite family recipes.
Mom and dad can compile the recipes, organize them and type them up and the kids can have fun decorating them.
Have the kids create gifts for mom, dad and grandparents.
``Kids love to make things,'' Neuhaus said. ``Tap into their creativity and let them have fun making their own gifts. Or make your own, such as an original poem or art. There's nothing anyone enjoys more than gifts someone took time and effort to make. They're priceless.'' MEMO: Need some financial planning guides? Contact Carole Thorpe at the
Virginia Cooperative Extension office at 547-6349.
If you're in credit card debt, the Consumer Credit Counseling
Service, 1128 N. Battlefield Blvd., may be able to help.More information
is available by calling 548-9406.
by CNB